An arts programme worth £1m was launched today targeting an important government priority to tackle the social exclusion of older people. Government Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA, today lent his support to launch the Arts Council and Public Health Agency ’s Arts and Older People’s Programme (Wednesday October 16th ) which uses the arts to tackle the important issues of isolation, loneliness and poverty affecting many older people across Northern Ireland today.
A mix of cross-government funding and philanthropic investment has helped provide the framework for a new Arts and Older People’s programme that will run for the next three years.
Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA along with Permanent Secretary, Peter May, from the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure and main funding partners the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency and the Baring Foundation attended the event which aims to strengthen the voice of older people through the arts, and will enable organisations to employ artists to work with local groups across Northern Ireland in a creative setting.
Minister Poots said: “A key challenge for government, business and public and private sectors is how to enable and support older people to get more out of life for longer. This will have benefits for both individuals and society.
“Taking enjoyment from all facets of life is key to positive health and well being at any age. I welcome this initiative which demonstrates how government departments and agencies work in synergy and as a result make health improvement a realistic achievement for everyone in our community regardless of age.
“Together the Arts Community and Health and Social Care services can make a real difference to the wellbeing of older people and their families and carers through projects such as this.”
Chief Executive of the Arts Council, Roisin McDonough, said; “The Arts Council is delighted to take the lead role in delivering this important programme which we hope will strengthen the voice of older people in our society. Involvement in the arts has proven benefits; it provides us with a sense of wellbeing and it promotes positive mental health, invaluable to some of the most vulnerable in our society, our older people. ”
For the full media release, see the external link below.
http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/arts-older-people-launch-oct-2013